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Robert Melican Obituary
Born in Worcester on Aug, 11 1946 to the late Lillian C. (Langton) Melican and George M. Melican, Bob grew up on Hitchcock Road with his older brother, the late George P. Melican and sister, Maureen Kennedy of Auburn. Bob attended Freeland Street School in Worcester and later St. Peter's Grammar School, graduating from St John's High School in Shrewsbury. Bob graduated from Worcester State College where he met his loving wife of 40 years, Beth and a long list of friends and colleagues who played an important part in both his personal and professional life to its end. Bob went on to receive his Masters in education from WSC and later a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He began his education career in 1969 as a 6th grade teacher at the Peaslee School in Northborough. In 1971, he became a Math teacher at the Northborough Middle School, the year of its opening, serving in that capacity for five years, until June of 1976. At that time, he split his duties between teaching math at the Northborough Middle School as well as in an expanded role as an Administrative Assistant in this same school. In 1984, Bob was appointed Assistant to the Superintendent of the Northborough/Southborough and Algonquin Regional Districts, and in 1986 became the Assistant Superintendent for the three Northborough and Southborough school districts. On September 10, 1996, he was appointed Superintendent for the three Districts. While a full list of Bob's achievements, awards and accolades would not fit on this page, some of note include: Secretary/Treasurer of the Worcester County Superintendents' Association, President of the Board of Trustees for the Worcester Vocational School District, Vice-President and President of the Worcester County Superintendents' Association, service on the Tri-County Board for School Superintendents, a seat on the Advisory Board for Education at Worcester State College, member of the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, named Massachusetts Superintendent of the year in 2004 and at the time of his passing, Bob proudly served as a Vice-President of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. The personal highlight of his career occurred on May 31, 2002 when the Northborough Middle School where he taught math 30 years earlier was renamed the Robert E. Melican Middle School, which will serve as a lasting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to public education.
Bob is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 40 years, Beth (Barry) Melican of Worcester; a son, Brendan B. Melican and daughter-in-law, Iris A. Lyons of Worcester, and a daughter, Sarah E. Melican of South Boston. Bob also leaves an enormous hole in the life of one grandchild, Oliver L. Melican also of Worcester. A sister, Maureen Kennedy of Auburn was a tireless companion to her little brother over a difficult, final two years. While a long list of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends spread across the country remained an integral part of the family and served as the foundation of Bob's life, providing endless joy and countless memories. Bob was predeceased by his loving parents, George M. Melican (1998), Lillian C. (Langton) Melican (1999) both of Worcester and his big brother, George P. Melican (1999) of Orange, CA. Bob gave these three individuals much credit for his accomplishments, it was by their example Bob learned the importance of service to one's community, which remained the driving force throughout his life. The funeral is Monday, November 2nd from O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday, November 1st from 3:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the "Robert E. Melican Memorial Scholarship Fund" c/o the Northborough/Southborough Regional School District, 53 Parkerville Road, Southborough, MA 01772.
While Bob's life would be considered full by any measure, at the time of his death he considered his life work far from complete. May his passing inspire you to pick up where he left off.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Melican
Amy Buttiglieri
November 1, 2009
Dear Beth, Brendan & Sarah - I was so sorry to hear about your loss. I have such fond memories of Mr. Melican over the years. He was a truly kind person and will be missed greatly.
Paul Sullivan
November 1, 2009
Dear Beth and Family,
Bob certainly was a positive influence in a lot of areas and personally a lot of fun to be with. I will remember all of you in my prayers during your time of sorrow.
Respectfully,
Paul K sullivan
November 1, 2009
Dear Beth and Family Members. I just learned of Bob's death and I want to express my sincere sympathy to you. I considered Bob the hardest working superintendent in the Commonwealth. His dedication to Northborough and Southborough schools was without limits.He will be missed. John Collins-former superintendent of Shrewsbury Public Schools.
November 1, 2009
Bob was a true friend and supporter of law enforcement. We will miss him and his great sense of humor.
Rick Mattioli, Southborough Police
Cathy and Philip Stefanides
October 31, 2009
Dear Beth and Family, So very sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are for you and your family at this time. May you gain comfort from your beautiful memories. We will say a special prayer for you and your family.
October 31, 2009
Thank you for everything, Mr. Melican. You've inspired me greatly, been a wonderful friend -- father of one of my best friends -- and helped make some of the best memories that a guy could have in his formative years. I was never in your classroom, but you were always my great teacher.
October 31, 2009
Beth,Brendan, Sarah and Maureen - I want you to know how deeply I feel the loss of this wonderful man. We worked together closely when I was police chief and bob was asst. supt and became the closest of friends. he then befriended both of my chidlren and treated them like his own. he was just a special and unique man who i loved like a brother and will miss greatly.
I hope the memory of the gift he was to the world will help you through this difficult time.
With love and respect
Bill Baker nd family
Christina Roberts
October 31, 2009
This might sound weird, but what a beautiful obituary.
Mr. Melican leaves an amazing legacy...a clear commitment and dedication to education... a love for family and friends...
He truly is an inspiration.
October 31, 2009
Maureen I know how you must feel, I went to school with your brother George. I also lost my brother 2/1999 and then my sister 2/2000. This is Gods will and thats how I got threw it. I am the only one left. I didnt know that George passed/ God Bless you Aileen (Granger)Janulewicz
Pat Martin
October 31, 2009
To Beth, Brendan and Sarah
We are all so deeply saddened by your loss and our loss. Bob was a great friend to so many of us. Wherever there was joy and laughter, there was Bob. He made all of us feel so very important in his life.
Bob’s commitment to the educational profession and specifically to students is unmatched. He was always the consummate advocate for children. As the saying goes “ No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child” Brendan and Sarah, your father was a giant among us and we have all been privileged to have known him. Thank you for sharing your father with us throughout the years and remember that we are here to share your grief in these difficult times.
A heartbroken best friend, Patty Martin
b g
October 31, 2009
Mr. Melican was an amazing man, husband, father and grandfather. I have Know Sarah for a long time now and he was the dad you could only wish to have. His sense of humor and his laugh was enough to take away any worry. I could go on and on about my best friends dad she was his princess and he will be missed by all.
all my love to ,
Beth, Brendon, Sarah, Iris and Oliver and the rest of the family.
Bill Mullaney
October 30, 2009
Beth,
As you know Bob and I were classmates since forth grade. We went through St. Peter's, St. John's, Quinsig, and Worcester State together.
We both got into teaching at the same time as did you and my wife, Nancy. We both had two children...a boy and a girl. Brendan attended St. Joh's as did my son Matt. Sarah played softball with my daughter Kate( I was fortunate to be their coach). So we've had a connection for most of our adult lives.
No one could ever replace Bob as a friend and a colleague. He will be missed by everyone who has had the good fortune to have known him.
God bless you and your family.
Frank Mero
October 30, 2009
To my old friend BoBo:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
October 30, 2009
Bob was always a sincere and kind person to everyone. He was eager to help out when needed. Our wishes and thoughts go out to Beth and her family knowing Bob is now at peace.
Sorry we cannot be at the funeral as we are at the west coast now.
Bob and Sheila Rosenblatt
Jim Ebrecht
October 30, 2009
Beth, Brendan and Sarah....
We were saddened to learn of Bob's untimely death yesterday. He was a lively and vibrant man who was a great friend to my children while we lived in Northboro. Over the years we worked together in education I don't think I ever met anyone who worked so hard yet enjoyed his work so much. His impact was enormous. My daughter Katie was particularly saddened and sends her regards as well. She remembers him well from her years at the Northboro (now the Robert Melican) Middle school. My fondest memories are of his sense of humor in the late night hours of school committee meetings when we all needed a laugh. Yet he was always full of serious business. I have missed him over the years and was glad when we could renew our friendship on our infrequent visits and encounters. I wish he had more time to enjoy a retirement with all of you.
With our condolences....
Jim and Sally Ebrecht
brian mahoney
October 30, 2009
I knew Mr. Melican from being a friend of Brendan's. I also used to see him from time to time at the restaurant that I used to work at. He always made sure to stop and say hi and goodbye. He was always kind and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He was a really geniune person. May he rest in peace.
Bob O'Brien
October 30, 2009
I knew Bobby for almost 50 years and when I last saw him, which wasn't often enough, it was like meeting him again going into Brother Capistrans Algebra class on Temple St. so long ago. It was as if no time had gone by and we were a couple of 13 year olds again. He had that sense of humor that endeared him to me, that day I last saw him just as it did the first day I met him, way back then. Rest in peace my old freind.
Bernie Melican
October 30, 2009
Bobby,
May the wind be always at your back.
Bernie Melican, cousin and
St John's '64
Steve
October 30, 2009
I remember him as a good teacher in Northboro where I went to school more than 25 years ago at Peaslee and then Northboro Middle School. Just a few white cards, as he set the example for students and staff.
October 30, 2009
I remember Bob coming into the store, Maurice's, with you or the guys from school and he was always a pleasure to see. He was a funny guy and always asking how my dad was. He will be missed!
Bernie Ravelson
Scott Yacino
October 30, 2009
Mr. Melican came to the school system in Douglas at a time when we needed a firm but steady hand, a kind heart and the know-how required to restore a system in turmoil. He left us all with a better school system and his contibutions continue to make a difference in the world through all the people he touched. He recovered our system and left an indelible mark on so many people in a very short time. May God grant him his well-deserved eternal rest among the angels and may He provide comfort and warmth to his family and friends.
Dennis Bishop
October 30, 2009
A truly good guy and great educator now belongs to the ages. When Bob came on my local cable show one could easily see his passion for Education. This Superintendent of the Year recepient was just that.
When Bob came to Douglas he righted a ship that was rapidly sinking and fraught with controversy. He balanced the budget while adverting the forecast from the prior administration of the need for draconion style layoffs and was roundly applauded at Town Meeting (something, I had not seen at TM for a Superintendent). His humor during those TMs was also something to hear.
His knowledge of Education was equally matched with his insight on school finances. He was not only the superintendent but the business manager as well and was as creative and excellent in both regards.
One item that always remains with me was when Bob said to me in discussions, 'there are two types of educators - those who talk the talk and those who walk the talk'. 'Beware of the former and seek to find the latter'. One former Principal, who is now a Superintendent, would often say, "that in that short time period that he had the pleasure of working with Bob, he learned so much more than he had learned in a number of previous years".
Bob will be missed by many. Sincere condolences to all family and friends.
October 30, 2009
Bobby was my first cousin. Despite the years and distance that often separated us, I will always remember how he made me laugh and how very much he loved his family.
The world is a little less kinder, a little less sweeter this day.
John Riley
October 30, 2009
To Beth and Family:
You are in my thoughts and prayers at the loss of your husband and father Bob. I enjoyed working with Bob in the Northboro Public Schools and he always did keep us laughing at our administrative meetings. He leaves a great legacy and will be missed greatly by us all.
June Mansfield
October 30, 2009
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED. June Mansfield ( Daughter of Ruth Nishan ) COUSIN
M
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